Shoe heel member



Nov. 1, 1938.

w.. P. HARTY 2,135,335

SHOE HEEL MEMBER Filed July 21, 1937 Patented Nov. 1, 1938 UNITED STATES SHOE HEEL MEMBER William P. Harty, Winchester, Va., assignor to The OSullivan Rubber 00., Inc., Winchester,

Application July 21, 1937, Serial No. 154,902

4 Claims.

This invention relates to molded heels for boots and shoes and to such heels as are formed of two or more sections of rubber or analogous material, which sections differ as to resiliency, color, or in other respects.

More particularly, the invention, relates to heels of the type mentioned wherein the sections are simultaneously finished and connected together in a mold, as by vulcanizing to produce the completed heel.

In the manufacture of heels of the type mentioned, it is difficult, if not impossible, to prevent the material of one section from flowing into that of an adjacent section at the line of juncture, during the process of manufacture, due principally to the pressure to which the sections are subjected, it being understood that in the course of manufacture the sections are placed side by side in the heel mold in mutually contacting relation, after which the usual pressure and heat common to the vulcanizing process are applied.

As a result of the flowing together of the heel sections, where they contact, the line of demarcation therebetween is very irregular and therefore presents a cheap and unsightly appearance which is highly objectionable to the trade. This is not only true where the sections differ as to color, but also where they are of the same color and differ only as to resiliency or in other respects. It is, therefore, the object of this invention to produce a heel of the type mentioned wherein the flowing together of the sections will not be visible at any exposed part of the heel after the same has been applied to a shoe, this object being carried out in the manner described in the following specifications and, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a heel made according to the present invention and embodying two sections,

Figure 2 is a view of the tread face of the same,

Figure 3 is a sectional view on the line 3 3 of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the bottom section of a mold such as is used for producing a heel according to the present invention, and showing the mold cavity, the cover plate being omitted.

Referring to the drawing, ll! designates the heel generally, which heel is composed of rubber and comprises a forward section I! and a rear section i2, which sections are vulcanized together, are of different degrees of resiliency, and are preferably of different colors, the section i2 being softer and more resilient than the section ll, so as to absorb the shock when the foot first contacts the ground. The reference numeral l3 designates a relatively shallow and narrow groove between the heel sections which extends across the face of the heel and thence upwardly at its sides to its inner or attaching face.

The groove i 3 is formed by means of a rib l4 which extends upwardly from the bottom face of the mold cavity 15, entirely thereacross, and then upwardly at both ends so as to traverse the sides of the cavity at diametrically opposite points, to its top, as indicated at I6.

In the manufacture of this heel, the two sections II and I2, then unvulcanized, are placed in the mold cavity at opposite sides of the rib l4, after which the upper section or cover of the mold is placed in position and the process of vulcanization carried out in the usual manner.

Because of the rib l4, it will be impossible for the two heel sections to contact along the line occupied by said rib so that a straight and definite line of demarcation between the sections, as represented by the groove l3, will result. This will not, however, prevent the sections from becoming securely vulcanized together inwardly of the groove, as indicated at H.

While the embodiment of the invention illustrated and described herein is one wherein two heel sections are employed, it will be understood that this invention may be practiced in connection with a heel including a greater number of sections. It will also be understood that this invention may be carried out in connection with the manufacture of whole heels, half heels, and heel lifts, also that the groove between the sections will be made to follow the meeting faces of the sections whether this meeting line is as illustrated in the drawing or otherwise, by a corresponding arrangement of the rib M. It will also be understood that instead of having the groove extend across the tread of the heel and thence upwardly at its sides, it may, in some instances, be necessary to produce the groove across the tread only or at the sides only.

I claim:

l. A heel member comprising a plurality of integrally connected sections and having a groove extending across its tread face and thence extending upwardly of its side faces in conformity with the line of connection of the sections.

2. A heel comprising a plurality of sections formed of material unlike in appearance, said sections having side walls integrally connected, and a groove extending across the tread face of formed of material unlike in appearance, said sections having side walls integrally connected, grooves in the side wall of said heel extending from its tread face to its inner face, and a groove in the tread face of said heel connecting the first mentioned grooves, said grooves being in line with the line of connection of the sections.

WILLIAM P. HARTY. 

